Outer Banks: New Boardwalk and Pier Headed to Duck

Outer Banks - Duck Boardwalk

Outer Banks - Duck Boardwalk

The Outer Banks Sentinel is reporting that the Town of Duck continues to push full steam ahead on an ambitious project to build a 10-foot wide, wooden soundfront boardwalk that will stretch behind the park and extend to the existing walkways of the waterfront businesses.

In the long-run, the hope is to ultimately have the boardwalk run the entire length of the village and will offer a safer and more enjoyable way to enjoy the towns shopping areas and pristine natural stretches.

People are already enjoying the completed areas, and the town has applied for a grant to pay for the southern extensions. The town believes the new boardwalk will allow vacationers and residents to access the sound and enjoy all of its beauty that has mostly been off limits because it is behind privately-owned properties.

Another important factor of the boardwalk is safety. Duck is very busy during the summer when folks are out walking, riding bikes and jogging through town, and it can get pretty congested as cars are trying to make it through. The hope is that the boardwalk may resolve some of these traffic issues.

Town planners also plan on adding a 130-foot pier that will feature four day-use boat slips to the agenda. Taken together, the boardwalk and piers offer something different than the beach for the thousands of people who visit this small sea-to-sound town each year.

The Town of Duck believes this is just the first piece of an overall pedestrian plan. When and if the mid-Currituck bridge is built from the mainland to Corolla, the Town of Duck may seek approval from the N.C. Department of Transportation to make some changes in town such as additional crosswalks.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 3.14.11 – Spring Forward, Surf, & an 800 LB Tuna!

NC State Record Blue Fin Tuna - 805 Pounds

NC State Record Blue Fin Tuna - 805 Pounds

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, March, 14, 2011.

This video was shot at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 9:00 AM.

It was a very exciting weekend on the Outer Banks. First of all, we are soooo close to spring. It was daylight savings time this weekend, and now that we have sprung forward, night isn’t falling on the OBX until almost 7:30! We have reached the middle of March, and the official first day of spring is less than one week away! Such a great time of year.

And this weekend definitely felt like spring. We had bright sun and temps in the upper 60 – lower 70′s all weekend with a light wind out of the west. The west wind was perfect for cleaning up the head high swell we had in the water all weekend. Clean head high surf with glassy conditions for most of the weekend. Perfect start to the spring surf season.

Unfortunately, the weather has shifted a bit, and we’re off to a chilly, overcast start to the week, but the sun and warm weather will return tomorrow and stick with us for most of the week and into next weekend.

In addition to a great surf weekend, it was also a record setting OBX fishing weekend! The rock fish have headed back north, but OBX fishing is heating up. We got our first report from Ocracoke of a puppy drum catch, so the fish are on the move, and the Osprey are showing up, so that’s a good sign that the Sound fishing will start to take off soon.

But the big (nay, giant) news from the weekend is the record setting blue fin tuna that was hauled into Oregon Inlet on Saturday. The Charter boat Sea Breeze out of Oregon Inlet skippered by Capt. Ned Ashby and angler Corey Schultz hooked and landed a 805 lbs 8 oz. blue fin tuna that could be the new North Carolina State Record. The catch beats the current state record of 744 pounds set in 1995.

A very exciting weekend all around.

Enjoy!

Outer Banks Surf - 3.12.11

Outer Banks Surf - 3.12.11

Outer Banks Surf - 3.12.11

Outer Banks Surf - 3.12.11

Lace Up Your Skates. Roller Derby Comes to the Outer Banks.

Outer Banks Roller Derby

Outer Banks Roller Derby

Last May I put up a post asking if Roller Derby was coming to the Outer Banks. I happened upon a video on YouTube of some OBX ladies trying to rally some fellow derby’ers, and it seems like they have accomplished their goal.

The Kill Devil Derby Brigade, the new OBX roller derby league, was officially announced yesterday on their blog (www.OBXrd.wordpress.com), and the ladies will be making their first public appearance at the annual OBX St. Patrick’s Day parade this weekend.

Here’s how they describe their beloved sport: “Roller derby is a full contact, fast paced, wheel screaming, heart pounding, speed racing sport that will help you build stamina, agility, teamwork skills, balance, strategic planning skills, and so much more!”

Awesome. Looking forward to seeing some games soon!

If you have any interest in participating, it seems like the Derby Brigade is recruiting ladies aged 18+ to skate with them. Please check out the Recruiting Page if you are interested!

Outer Banks Surf Report – 3.11.11 – Surf’s Up All Weekend!

Outer Banks - 3.11.11 - Surf's Up!

Outer Banks - 3.11.11 - Surf's Up!

OBX surf is up all weekend. Sunny with temps in the upper 50′s to lower 60′s. Wind out of the west at about 15 mph. Head high clean waves.

We’ve had good swell in the water all week, and last night the wind finally swung around to the west to clean it up. The swell should be with us through Monday, and the west wind should match up at least into Sunday.

This video was shot at Lillian St. in Kitty Hawk 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM. The waves were a bit messy in the morning, but they have been cleaning all day, and tomorrow and Sunday are lookin’ good.

Great weekend to be on the Outer Banks. See you in the water!

Enjoy!

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Surf’s Up!

Outer Banks - 3.11.11 - OBX Surf's Up

Outer Banks - 3.11.11 - OBX Surf's Up

Surf’s up! Sunny, temps in the upper 50′s today. West wind at 15 – 20 mph. Head high surf should clean throughout the day and stick around Saturday and Sunday.

Only one guy out at Lillian St. so far this morning.

Head high surf, bright sun, blue skies, and 60 degree temps…pretty perfect spring weekend on the Outer Banks!

@ Lillian Ave Beach Access

Outer Banks: Road Trip to Duck

Outer Banks Road Trippin'

Outer Banks Road Trippin'

Don’t just take it from us…Raleigh based Fifteen501 magazine encourages a spring visit to the Outer Banks too!

Boasting the amazing OBX history – one of the first settlements of Virginia Dare, Blackbeard, shipwrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic and the first in flight – Fifteen 501 encourages travelers to make the trip to the Outer Banks.

But there’s more than just history…

The wild mustangs still populating the island of Corolla are said to be the descendants of those aboard Spanish shipwrecks and are just another great site on more than 130 mile stretch of beaches.

With a wide array of quiet spots to sit back and enjoy plenty of relaxation and recreation, the Fifteen 501 believes the entire Outer Banks is worth visiting but there is one place of the beaten path. Duck, NC.

Inspired by its uncrowded beaches, friendly locals, beautiful views and artistic feel, Duck is an island town that continues to move residents and visitors alike. High class amenities, delicious coastal cuisine, locally owned shopping and amazing vacation rental homes are some of the great reasons to plan a spring or summer trip to the Outer Banks.

Thanks Fifteen 501…please, come back and visit again soon.  :)

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 3.10.11 – Rain today. Surf tomorrow!

Outer Banks - 3.10.11 - Rain today. Surf tomorrow!

Outer Banks - 3.10.11 - Rain today. Surf tomorrow!

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Thursday, March 10, 2011.

This video was shot just north of the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 8:30 AM.

Signs of spring are starting to pop up. Flowers are starting to bloom, and Billy’s Seafood in Colington is open for the season! Come on spring!

We have a rainy day today, but it’s warm (in the 60′s), and there’s a great reward on the other side of the wet weather. Clean, head high surf tomorrow through Saturday, possibly carrying over to Sunday.

The rain will move off tonight, and sunny weather with temps in the upper 50′s will be with us through the weekend. There’s a stiff wind blowing out of the south at 20+ mph today, but the wind is going to swing west tomorrow and lay back to 10 – 15 mph. The west wind is going to clean up the head high swell that has been in the area all week, and we will have clean surf to enjoy tomorrow. The head high surf will taper off to chest high on Saturday, but the clean surf should be with us all of Saturday, and could carry over to Sunday as well.

A few great days of OBX surf on the way! Break out the wetsuit and wax up the board. We’ll have a reason to get in the water soon.

 

Outer Banks Surf Forecast - 3.10.11

Outer Banks Surf Forecast - 3.10.11

Unfortunately, not much news on the OBX fishing front. We haven’t gotten a fishing report in almost a week. Seems the rock fish are officially gone, but it was one heck of an Outer Banks rock fish season. Now on to blue fin tuna. We’ve had great reports and some big catches of blue fin recently, but this week has been slow. Hopefully the reports, and catches, pick up again soon.

Enjoy!

 

New Outer Banks Hot Spot for Man and His Best Friend

Outer Banks - Kitty Hawk Skate Park

Outer Banks - Kitty Hawk Skate Park

With dog parks increasing popularity around the country, the Outer Banks Sentinel is reporting that the OBX is about to bring one to a brand new park in Kitty Hawk…along with a skate park. Perfect for man and his best friend!

Additional components of the park include a concrete skate park, playground, a 1,300-square-foot picnic pavilion with restrooms and a quarter mile walking trail that loops around the property.

Formerly a driving range, the park will be located across from the new fire station on the North end of Kitty Hawk Road.

Dare County Parks and Recreation announced that the park is expected to open before the summer season.

Dog owners will be charged an annual fee of $35 to be allowed to use the dog park. Inside will be divided areas for large and small dogs to run and play.

According to town planners, the town has had a lot of interest in the dog park and believes the park will become a social place for both dogs and owners.

Use of the skate park and other amenities will be free and open to the public. These amenities are said to include a picnic pavilion, bath house, playground, bike rack, and grills.

A great stimulation to the local economy, only beach based companies have been contracted to complete the planning and building of all of the parks aspects.

Becoming a large destination for skateboarders, this is great news for the vacation rental market as well. Skaters have recently been travelling to the OBX, renting a house for the week and skating the different parks in the region.

An official opening date is expected to be announced soon. Stay tuned!

Seaside Vacations Announces the 2011 Lineup for Club Seaside

Guests enjoy 15 complimentary events including family portraits, yoga, paddle boarding, wine tastings, wild horse tours and more

KITTY HAWK, NC, (March 9, 2011) – Seaside Vacations, a leading vacation rental company located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, announces the lineup for their 2011 Club Seaside program.

Believing that a vacation should be more than just a house at the beach, Seaside Vacations is continuing to redefine the Outer Banks vacation experience by combining the best things about staying in a private vacation home with the best things about staying in a luxury resort.

Offered exclusively to all Seaside Vacations guests, the weekly Club Seaside events have grown from eight events to 15 complimentary events in 2011.  Returning from 2010 are the professional golf and tennis clinics, yoga classes, wine tastings, circuit training, family portraits and paddle boarding.  And new for 2011, guests will enjoy art in action with Katy Caroline, a beading class at Garden of Beadin’, a “Charming Party” with Renee Landry Style, a cooking class by Outer Banks Epicurean, a fishing class with Rock Solid Fishing, a pet party with Salty Paws Biscuits, a tour of The Whalehead Club and a wild horse tour by Corolla Outback Adventures.  In addition, all Seaside Vacations guests have special guest access to a state-of-the-art health and racquet club and special guest rates at a world-class golf club. Each day of the week guests can experience the local culture by participating in one of these Outer Banks activities.

Seaside Vacations is committed to creating an exceptional vacation experience that includes a gorgeous house, but also access to local events that give guests access to all the Outer Banks has to offer. By giving guests the added value they desire, Club Seaside has become a favorite among Seaside Vacations guests.

A Seaside Vacations guest commented:

“Please keep Club Seaside as a part of your rental program. We loved it very much! The amenities that are available free of charge and at a reduced rate are very well worth it!”

Seaside Vacations looks forward to yet another successful year with Club Seaside. For more information on the exclusive benefits of Club Seaside, including schedule and contact information, please visit www.outerbanksvacations.com/club-seaside.htm.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 10-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas.  Explore our homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 855.375.9208.

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Surf on the Way!

Outer Banks - 3.9.11 - Surf on the Way

Outer Banks - 3.9.11 - Surf on the Way

Overcast but warming up. Temps in the upper 50′s today, 60′s tomorrow. Northeast wind today at about 10 mph.

Sun will return for great surf on Friday and Saturday.  Head-high, clean surf Fri. & Sat. with south/southwest winds at 10 – 15 mph. Great OBX surf on the way!

Blue fun biting offshore.

@ 5th street beach access